A study of 1,000 families by comparethemarket.com found three quarters (77 percent) are anticipating this year being unlike any other, but are determined to make it special as restrictions have eased by filling the time with day trips, dinners and movies.
Nearly six in 10 families (57 per cent) will be spending more time in the UK than usual this year, with 43 per cent more likely to visit a UK attraction over heading abroad and risking further government restrictions scuppering their plans.
Parents plan on whisking kids to at least six days out over the summer holidays – an average of one a week.
But at a cost of an average of £160 for each day out, that will add up to around £960 for the average family.
And to cover all their day trips, families estimate covering a total of 386 miles up and down the country, averaging just over 60 miles travelled per trip.
Julie Daniels, head of rewards at comparethemarket.com, said: “Finding ways to keep the kids busy each summer is always a challenge.
“Families might be looking around their living rooms wondering how they’re going to get through it – after spending most of the last year confined to their homes.
“Even if there is more time spent at home due to a lack of foreign holidays, there’s always joy to be found in a family trip to the movies or going out for a meal together.”
Half of British kids expect more treats during the summer holidays, according to the poll of 1,000 parents and guardians with kids of school age.
Four in 10 parents and guardians will take two weeks off from work to keep kids entertained over the long days, although 17 per cent don’t take any time from work at all.
Another 65 per cent, however, fear the ‘tipping point’ during the summer holidays, when they worry they have totally run out of ways to entertain the kids.
For the majority (26 per cent) this comes after just three weeks – less than halfway through the school summer break.
Two in five families will make a day of treating the family to a cinema trip and a meal out.
In fact, two in five (19 per cent) say they will go to the cinema at least once a week during the holidays, with a further 15 per cent planning to go more often.
Three in five families (64 per cent) will visit a British beach this summer and almost half (45 per cent) will visit a theme park.
More than a third (36 per cent) plan to explore other cities with the kids and one in four (23 per cent) will take to the waters to enjoy a family boat trip, according to the OnePoll figures.
Julie Daniels added: ‘’The summer holidays can be an expensive time, with many feeling the pressure to keep the kids entertained for six weeks.
‘’We can help to keep the cost of the school holidays down for parents with restaurant and takeaway offers seven days a week with Meerkat Meals, and 2 for 1 cinema tickets every Tuesday or Wednesday with Meerkat Movies.
‘’Anyone taking out a qualifying product via comparethemarket.com will get access to rewards for 12 months, meaning savings can be enjoyed over the summer and beyond.’’
